Breslow, Hanrahan set to appear at McCoy_BINARY_984521

Wednesday

BOSTON -- Boston's lack of relief depth shouldn't last much longer. A number of Red Sox relievers are nearing returns as they work through rehab assignments

BOSTON -- Boston's lack of relief depth shouldn't last much longer. A number of Red Sox relievers are nearing returns as they work through rehab assignments.

Although left-hander Craig Breslow was knocked around a little bit in his first rehab appearance on Tuesday night in Portland -- he allowed four runs while not retiring a batter -- he came out of the game without any setbacks. Breslow, who barely threw at all in spring training, will throw a bullpen session Thursday before appearing in back-to-back games for the PawSox this weekend on Saturday and Sunday.

Manager John Farrell said that will give Breslow a chance to rebuild some of the arm strength he's lost since the end of last season.

Joel Hanrahan will be in Pawtucket even sooner, appearing in a rehab game for the PawSox on Friday. Hanrahan has been out with a hamstring injury.

There is some bad news concerning Franklin Morales. Morales was supposed to be starting Wednesday night for Portland, but he's dealing with pain in his pectoral muscle, suffered during an earlier rehab appearance for Greenville. Morales has been scaled back to long toss for now.

The Red Sox, though, have not stopped Morales' rehab clock -- players can only rehab for 30 days unless they suffer a setback -- suggesting the team does not view the pectoral issue as a serious one.

Twitter: @TimBritton

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.